I don't think they care if that story is about gays or not but the fact that it was heavy implied that they had feelings for each other at the start and now it's like nothing happend. Like the author was queer baiting which is fucking weird and should never be done but idk about it maybe it'll be back. If not then it's a bit weird
Anyone that thinks this has poor reading comprehension. Yes, Yoshiki had a crush on Hikaru but he's dead (hence the title). Hikaru was straight. These points are very clear. Whether Yoshiki likes "Hikaru" is up for debate, but it's not the focus of the story.
I never said it's the focus but that giving sth to the story and then making it disappear is weird. That's all. I am just trying to understand ppl that have problem with it, both sides yk?
Was hikari straight tho? In one instance that I remember when he's about to die and meet the entity, he said something Liek he need to tell Yoshiki his feeling or something. But I might be tripping.
Hikaru isn't straight, did we read the same manga? He couldn't confess his feelings to Yoshiki before he finished the ritual, otherwise Brainsnatcher would've spirited the real Yoshiki away and taken his place. The whole reason 'Hikaru' is listening to Yoshiki is because he copied real Hikaru's memories, together with the love he had for Yoshiki. They straight up mention this multiple times throughout the story. I think you really should reread this lmao
Omg yes!!!! Are we the only two actually comprehending this story!? People need to slow down or re-read. Well said! Other than that point though, the commenter is spot on that Yoshiki liked Hikaru not the fake Hikaru. Sad to see so many people acting like it’s queer bating because they got this idea in their head Yoshiki and fake Hikaru were going to be a couple. In the first place, it doesn’t even make sense for the story, it’s not been a romance but a horror manga. It’s like people are disregarding the actual text and characters with this one track mind and then are confused the story isn’t what they thought it was going to be. There has been no rug pull. If people read the authors other oneshot on here maybe they’d get a better idea of their writing style. It’s was never going to be “romantic”
I feel like the fact that he knew 'Hikaru' is a fake obliterated any feelings he could have for him, the love Yoshiki feels is for the fragments of real Hikaru that sometimes peek through. I feel like that's where the most biting part of the horror of it all comes from. The person he loved is gone forever and only this eldritch facsimile is left, he finds out their love was mutual but it came to a tragic end before it could even happen. The worst part of it all, he's the only one in their community that knows, he has to continue living this lie until he decides what to do about it. For me the most interesting part isn't the supernatural aspect or the history of their home town, but what Yoshiki decides to do in the end. Will he keep living with this fake that holds and prolongs Hikaru's memory, lying to everyone around, trying his best to keep its fleeting existence from slipping through his fingers, conversely prolonging his agony? Will he get rid of it and return it to the mountain, he himself killing Hikaru a second time, freeing himself from the anxiety and pain but ultimately having to let Hikaru go and come to terms with his death? The fact that 'Hikaru' is so unstable and unpredictable just makes it better, reminding you each time that he's not human and can't just become one even if he has a desire to learn. Having them end up together would be imo cheap and would only bring suffering to Yoshiki, since he, most of all, is painfully aware 'Hikaru' is not the one he loved.
Chapter 9 - Real Hikaru dying from being distracted by a curvy tree (with breasts) https://i.imgur.com/IRtVSyS.jpeg
Volume 3 Q&A - (Paraphasing) What type of person did (real) Hikaru like? Someone healthy with big breasts. https://i.imgur.com/SSgeT4y.png
Came here looking for theories on the latest chapter, found people discussing about the BL tag?? It's not that big a deal y'all— if you can only ever read a story because there's gay in it, it says more about how you see homosexuality as a genre/trope (like horror or rivals to lovers) rather than an aspect of a character's being, which doesn't always have to be the main focus of the plot, and care little about the beautiful story and world-building the author made for us. Being gay isn't always a genre y'all!